Carton-blank handling apparatus for wire-stitching machines



.Aug. 7, 1945. G. H. HARRED 2,3815743- CARTON-BLANK HANDLING APPARATUSFOR WIRE-STI TCHING MACHINES Filed Oct. 7, 1943 e She ts-Sheet 1 3y I*4; Ir/:95! i v I/IZ'ZZIWS Aug. 7, 1945. G. H. HARRED 2,381,743

CARTON-BLANK HANDLING APPARATUS FOR WIRESTITCHTNG MACHINES Filed 001:.7, 1945 GSheets-Sheet 2 bieu%1 Harman! Aug. 7, 1945. G. H. HARRED2,381,743

CARTON-BLANK HANDLING APPARATUS FOR WIRE-STITCHING MACHINES Filed Oct.7, 1945 e Sheets-Shet s Aug '7 vG. H. HARRED CARTON-BLANK HANDLINGAPPARATUS FOR WIRE -TITCHING MACHINES Filed Oct. "r, 1945 e Sheets-Sheet4 Au ,7; I. G. H. HARRED' 2,381,743 I CART b N -BLANK HANDLING APPARATUSFOR WIRE-STITCHING MACHINES I v Filed Oqt. 7, 1945 es eets-sheet 5 TL wEL, 5 f0! J Aug. 7, 1945, 6.1-1. HARRED 2,381,743

CARTON-BLANK HANDLING APPARATUS FOR WIRE-STITCHi NG MACHINES PatentedAug. 7, 1945 CARTON-BLANK HANDLING APPARATUS I I FOR WIRE-STITCHINGMACHINES George H. Harred, East Greenwich, R.'I., assignor to BostonWire Stitcher Company, Portland,

Maine, a corporation of Maine Application-October 7, 1943', Serial No.505,298

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating the topsheet or like object from a stack of sheets or similararticles tofacilitate handling or feeding the same, and to the coordinate operationof such apparatus in timed relation to the operation of a machin ordevice with which it is used.

One object of the present invention is to provide anautomatically-operated apparatus of the type indicated for displacingthe top sheet of a stack with respect to' the underlying. sheets thereinto adapt asingle sheet to be grasped for manipulation. i

Another object is to providean apparatus of the type-indicated'havingreciprocating contactelements or fingers adapted to rest on the top ofthe stack with means engageable with the edge of the top sheet to slideit rearwardly with respect to the underlying sheets in the stack.

Another object is to provide contact-fingers of improvedconstructionwhich are automatically adjustable in accordance withirregularities in the surface of the top sheet. r

Another object is to provide contact-fingers of improved construction,which are'adapted to be displaced automatically to inoperative positionwhen thestack of sheets is raised beyond its normal. heightwhereby tosafeguard against breakage of or damage to the parts ofthesheetseparating mechanism. i

Another object is to provide an apparatus .of the type indicated havinan elevator for supporting the stack ,of sheets and automaticallylifting the stack progressively to maintain the top sheet at apredetermined level where it may be engagedby the contact-fingers.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated which isadapted to be operated automatically in timed relation to theoperationof the machine with which it isused to separate one sheet foreach cycle of operation of themachine. I r

A particular object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thetype indicatedfor separating carton-blanks to adapt them to be foldedand fed to a wire-stitching machine.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the type indicated whichis. operated from the wire-stitching machine to separate one cartonblankduringeach cycle of operation of the wirestitching mechanism regardlessof the number of stitches applied. v

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the .type indicated whichwill separate the top carton-blank from the remaining blanks in thestackat a relatively slow rate of speed whereby to prevent the blankfrom being thrown-rapidly therefrom while also insuring properpositioning of the blank for subsequent manipulation.

Another object is to provide an apparatus ofthe type indicated in whichthe means;for oper-, ating the sheet-separating fingers is adjustable toregulate the amount of separation of the cartonblank from the stack inaccordance with particu:

lar requirements. 1

Still another object is to provide a sheet-sepae rating apparatus of thetype indicated which is positive in operation to separate the.topcartonblank from the underlying ones in the stackand adapted forcooperation with different types of elevators and wire-stitchingmachines commonly used to support and stitch. carton-blanks. I

Further-objects of the invention are set forth in the followingspecification which describes a preferred form of construction of theapparatus, by Way of example, as illustrated by the accom-. panyingdrawings. In the drawings: V

Fig. 1 isan end elevational view of a machine for stitchingcarton-blanks showing the blankseparating apparatus of the presentinvention applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational viewof the wirestitching machineillustrated inFig. 1

Fig. 3 is an elevational View of the. end of th apparatus oppositefromthat illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the operating means for. thefingers of the blank-separating unit a driven from .thewire-stitchingmachine;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view online 4-4 of'Fig. 2with the fingers illustrated in a position the reverse of that shownin-Fig..1 and showing the operatingmeans for-the blankseparating fingersin inoperative position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 withthe fingers illustrated in thesame position as in Fig. 4. and showing the blank-separating fingers ashavin been moved through'anoperative stroke;

Fig. 6 is a view similar'to Fig. 4' with the fingers illustrated inthesame position as'in Fig. 4 and showing the operating 'meansasuncoupled from the blank-separating fingers topermit the latter toreturn to inoperative position'and illustrating the operating means aslatched to prevent further actuation thereof 'untilthe wire-stitchingoperation has been completed;--

Fig. '7 is a part-sectional plan View of the operatingmeans'for theblank-separating fingers;

Fig. 8 is a detailed part-sectional. view of one of the levers of theoperatingmeans taken on line 88 of Fig. 7; 1T 7 Fig. 9 is a sectionalview taken on line 99 of Fig. 7 showing the means for adjusting theeffective stroke of the operating means;

Fig. 10 is a partial plan view of the pair of electrical switchesoperative from the gauge of the wire-stitching machine;

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the electrical circuit for the variouselectromagnets of the wire-stitching machine;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detailed plan view of one of the blank-separatingfingers;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view on line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view on line ll-M of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the blankseparating finger shownin Fig. 12 showing it in position to feed the uppermost blanklaterallyof those remaining in the stack and indicating in dash-linesthe manner in which the finger is tilted upwardly manually for stackingthe sheets on the elevator; and

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing the finger tilted upwardlyby the sheets in the stack when the latter is raised beyond its normaloperative position.

In stitching or similarly processing cartonblanks of corrugatedpaper-board; fiber-board or the like, it is theusual practice to stack alarge number of blanks, one over another, on an olevator locatedadjacent the wire-stitching or other processing machine. The operatorstands at the rear of the stack and separates the top sheet from theunderlying'sheets in the stack to feed it to the processing machine.When the sheets are in the form of fiat carton-blanks to be stitched,the operator must fold the sides over the body-portion of the blankandfeed the folded blank into the wire-stitching machine. Thewire-stitching machine then operates automatically to intermittentlydeedthe folded carton-blank forward and apply stitches to fasten togetherthe overlapping edges of the sides. The operator continues to separate,fold and feed the carton-blanks and the elevator operates to graduallyraise the stack whereby to continually maintain the top carton blank ata predetermined level where it is most convenient to handle.

Due to the usual order and arrangement of the carton-blanks in thestack, it is sometimes difficult to separate the topmost carton-blankfrom the underlying ones in the stack. Such difliculty in separating thetop carton-blank from the stack involves loss of time and interrupts therhythm of the operators motions, especially when new and unskilledoperators are employed. Experienced operators acquire a knack forseparating carton-blanks of usual shapes and sizes, but even skilledoperators have difi'iculty in separating carton-blanks of unusual shapesand sizes.

General organization The present invention provides an improvedsheet-separating apparatus for cooperation with an elevator and isoperated automatically in timed relation to the operation of the machinewith which it is used for continuously separating the top sheet from theunderlying sheets in the stack whereof to facilitate their handling andincrease production. In the'particular apparatus illustrated in thepresent drawings, the sheet-separating unit is adapted to operate inconjunction with a wire-stitching unit for stitching the seams ofcarton-blanks. The sheet-separating mechanism comprises, in general, apair of spaced fingers v top carton-blank.

adapted to rest on the top surface of a stack of sheets, carton-blanksor other like articles. Each finger has a depending shoulder or abutmentwhich engages across the edge of the top cartonblank and is of lessdepth than the thickness of the blank. The fingers are mounted forlateral rocking movement to adapt them to adjust themselves for anyirregularities in-thetop surface of a blank and are also capable oflongitudinal tilting movement to insure proper engagement of theirdepending shoulders with the edge of the Upon reciprocation of thefingers through an operative stroke their shoulders will engage the edgeof the top carton-blank -and.slide it rearwardly relative to the stack,or

toward the operator, to cause its rearward portion to overhang the sideof the stack in position to be easily and quickly grasped by theoperator. As each carton-blank is separated from the stack and fed tothe wire-stitching machine by the operator the elevator operatesautomatically to raise the stack and maintain the top carton-blank at alevelwhere the shoulders on the fingers will engage its'edge. Thefingers are adapted to be automatically displaced from operativeposition should the stack of carton-blanks be raised above the normalheight whereby to guard against breakage 'of or damage to the fingersand associated parts of the blank-separatingmechanism.

The sheet-separating fingers are carried by arms which are rocked bygravity to cause the fingers to engage the upper surface of the topcarton-blank. The arms are reciprocated by means driven from thewire-stitching machine to move the fingers simultaneously through anoperative stroke and the arrangement of their operating means is such asto cause the fingersto be reciprocated once only for each cycle ofoperation of the wire-stitching mechanism, regardless of the number ofstitches applied.

In a preferred form of construction the operating means for thesheet-separating fingers is driven directly from the shaft whichoperates the wire-stitching machine'and comprises an operating bar whichis connected to actuate the fingers; the bar being disconnectedautomatically at the completion of an operative stroke of the fingers torelease the arms carrying the fingers. A spring or equivalent meansconnected to operate the arms then acts to slide the latter in theopposite direction to move the fingers through a return stroke. A latchis actuated automatically to engage the operating means at the end ofthe operative stroke of the fingers to retain it inoperative until acycle of operation of the wirestitching machine has been completed. Uponcompletion of the cycle of operation of the wirestitching machine,stopping means for the latter operate to release the latch to permit theoperat ing means for'the fingers to be returned to initial position;Return of the operating means to initial position resets the mechanismfor subsequent operation at the beginning of another cycle of operationof the Wire-stitching machine.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided forminutelyand accurately adjusting the range of movement of the separating fingerswhereby to regulate the extent of separation of the carton-blank fromthe stack. The adjusting means consists in a novel and ingenious devicefor changing the position of the pivotal connection of the operatinglevers to thereby regulate the extent of rocking motion imparted to thearms carrying the carton-separatin'g fingers.

The present invention also provides means for imparting a relativelyslow movement to the sheet-separating fingers during their operativestroke whereby to. guard against overfeeding or violent throwing of thetop carton-blank beyond the desired position. Through this provision thetop carton-blank will invariably be located in position to beconveniently grasped by the operator for feeding it to thewire-stitching mechanism.

- Wire-stitching machine The wire-stitching unit as herein shown is inthe form of a self-contained machine substantially identical with thatillustrated and described in my United States Letters Patent No.2,305,419,

a horizontal arm 4 overlying the table 3. 'A wirestitching head 5 ismounted at the outer end of the horizontal arm 4 for operation byadriveshaft 6 extending through the arm and projecting outwardly beyondits rearward end. The wirestitching head 5 may be of any suitableconstruction and, as-herein illustrated, is of a type shown anddescribed in United States Letters Patent No. 1,760,031, issued May 27,1930, to H. G, Allen. In the operation of this type of wire-stitchingmachine, during the first half-revolution of the drive-shaft 6 a lengthof wire is cut from a supply, bent into a U-shaped staple, driven intothe work and clinched on the under side thereof; and during the secondhalf-revolution of the driveshaft 6 the parts of the stitching mechanismare returned to initial position and another length of wire is fed intothe head. A fly-wheel I is mounted for rotation on the projecting end ofthe drive-shaft '6 and adapted to be continuously driven by a belt 8from a suitable prime mover, herein illustrated as an electric motor 9.A clutch, indicated generally at IQ in Fig. 2, i provided adjacent thefly-wheel I for connecting the latter to the drive-shaft 6for thewire-stitching head 5. Depending from the stitching head 5 is a combinedflap-guide and clinching anvil I2 of usual construction.

The work, usually in the form ofv a carton-blank W, is fed by upper andlower sets of cooperating fed-rolls I5 and I6 which are drivencontinuously to advance the blank tothe wire-stitching head 5 and thento intermittently step-feed it between stitches. The upper pair offeed-rolls I5 are mounted fast on a shaft I1 journaled in suitablebearings depending from the head 5 and the lower pair of feed-rolls I6are fast on asuitable shaft I8 carried by a rockable cradle l9, seeFigs. 1 and 2. Connected to the shaft I1 is a shaft 20 having by meansof a toothed clutch2 9. The shaft 20 normally is drivenfrom the prime-,

mover ormotor 9 by suitable connections, shown more in detail in Patent.No. 2,305,419, including a chain 30 for driving a sprocket-wheel formedas a part of the disk-clutch 2 I, the latter being held indrivingengagement by means of a spring 3i. By disengaging the' clutch 2I andengaging the clutch 29 the continuous high-speed drive for theshaft 20.is disconnected and the latter is driven from the shaft 28. The shaft 28is rotated intermittently in timed relationto the operation of thewire-stitching mechanism by an eccentric on the shaft .6 operatingthrough a pitman 32 and a one-way clutch 33. The clutches 2i, and 29 areoperated simultaneously by an electromagnet 34, see Fig. 2, actingthrough a link 35, lever 36, link 31 and bell-crank shifting fork 38 todisengage the clutch and then, through the. connecting rod 39 andshifting fork 40, to engage theclutch 29. Thus, the shafts I1 and I8and-opposed pairs of feed-rolls I5 and I6 normally are continuouslydriven at high speed to feedthe work into the stitching head and uponenergization of the electromagnet 34 the clutch 2| disconnects 'thehigh-speed driving means from the prime-mover and connects theintermittently-operating driving means thereto. The opposed pairsoffeed-rolls I5 and I6 then are driven intermittently in timed relationto the operation of the wire-stitching head 5 to properly space thestitches along the seam 0f the carton.

The initiation of a cycle of operation of the \t'rirestitching mechanismin the head 5 is controlled by the movement of the carton-blank W as itis advanced by the feed-rolls I5 and I6 and engagesthe dependingabutment 44 of a gauge 45. The gauge 45 is mounted for sliding movementby the engagement of the work therewith,

I a post 46, see Fig. 1, carried thereon being arranged to close aswitch 41, see also Fig. 10. As

indicated in the diagram, Fig. 11, the switch 41 is connected in circuitwith the electromagnet 34 which; upon energization, will act to operatethe clutches 2| and 29 to disconnect the high-speed continuous drivefrom the feed-rolls I5 and I6 and connect the intermittently-operatinglowspeed drive thereto. The carton-blank W will continue its forwardmovementdue to momentum and the post 46 will then operate a secondswitch 41, also indicated in Fig. 10, which is connected in circuit withan electromagnet 48. As shown in Fig. l, the electromagnet 48 isconnected through a suitable linkage to a clutchoperator 49 foractuating the clutch II] to connect the fly-wheel I to the drive-shaft 6for the wirestitohing head 5. The wire-stitching mechanism in the head 5then will be operated to apply stitches to the carton-blank while theshaft 28 is driven intermittently from the shaft 6 through the pitman 32and one-way clutch 33 to stepfeed the work between stitches.

Upon operationof the wire-stitching mechanism in the head 5 a rock-shaft50 is turned, see Fig. l, to operate through a link 5| to lift theabutment 44 of the gauge 45 out of the path of movement of thecarton-blank W and perform several other functions namely: rock thecradle I9 to cause the lower feed-rolls IE to firmly grip the; workagainst the upper rolls l5, apply a brake to the shaft I'I mounting theupper pair of feedrolls I5 and maintain the switch 41 closed whereby topermit release of the gauge 45, these operations being explained indetail in my prior patent referred to: above.

A control-shaft52, see Fig. 2, is adapted to be turned with astep-by-step movement by the reciprocating pitman 32 and a radial arm 53at the outer end of the control-shaft is arranged: to engage and rockapivoted frame 54 toclose a switch 55. The switch. as is arranged incircuit with an 'electromagnet 56','see Figs. 3 and 11. Theplunger-armature-of the electromagnet 56-is connectedto one end of abell-crank lever 51 by a link 58 and the opposite arm of the bell-crankis engageable with an adjustable abutment 59 on a pivoted stoppingmember for arrestingthe stitching operation. Upon operation of thestoppingv member 60 the control-shaft 52 is released and returnedautomatically to its initial position. Adjacent the end-oi the returnmovement of the control-shaft 52 a. second arm 6| at the end thereofengages with and rocks the pivoted frame 54. to release the: switch 55and deenergizesthe electromagnetu56. The arm Si is fixed permanently onthe control-shaft 52 but the arm 53 is mounted for angular adjustmentwith respect tothe fixed arm tov adapt it to arrest thestitchingoperation after any predetermined number of stitches have: been appliedWhile aparticular construction of the wire-stitching machine is hereinillustrated and described, it will be understood that other types ofstitching or stapling devices; or. similar sheet-processing units may besubstituted therefor within the purview of the invention. Elevator Theelevator. unit employed inv conjunction with the processing. unit is ofconventional type commonly used for supporting, a. stack of sheets asshown in Fig. 1 and adapted to operate automatically to raise the stackprogressively to position the top sheet at apredetermined levelconvenient for handling or manipulation. When the elevator is used incooperation with a wire- Stitching unit the sheets may be in the form ofcarton-blanks W which are scored to provide panels constituting thesides of the carton to be formed: One end of each carton-blank. W has atab which is adapted to overlie the edge of the opposite side or.panel?v to provide anoverlapping; seam when the blank is folded. inthemanner indicatedby d'ash- -lines in Fig. 2.

The elevator may be of usual construction comprising a basefifilsupporting upright stand'- ing. machine andthe elevator.

ards 61 at its sides which straddle the table 3- of the wire-stitchingmachine. A. platform 68 surmounting the base 66 is in the form of anopen rectangular frame mounting a series of rollers 69'. The platform6-8 has brackets 10, at its sides which are slidable in guideways H inthe standards. 61 The-platform58 is raised and lowered with respecttothebase by means of a pair: or cables T2 attached at one end to thebracketslll and extending upwardly over sheaves 13. at: the upper ends.of the standards 61'. The cables 12 may be operated in anysuitablemanner to raise the platform 68" gradually with the stach ofcarton-blanks W supported thereon. With vthe type of elevatorillustrated in the present drawings the cables 12 are operated by ahydraulic motor 742 mounted on the base 66. Motive fluidis supplied by apump 16 driven byan electric; motor 11' bymeans of a belt 15 and thedelivery of the fluid to the hydraulic motor; Ht is; controlled by avalve, indicated generally. by -thereferenc'e: character 18 in Fig. 1.Whenthevalve: 19=is opened the hydraulic motor 14.,will. lye-operatedto; drawon the cables 12 and lift the platform 68. When the valve 19' isclosed, the-pressure ,of themotive fluid causes it toopen. a Joy-passvalve: so that the fluidismerely circulated by the: pump T6;

manna The control-valve it may be operated by'any suitablefeeler-nieans' w arranged to rest on the top. carton-blank Woi-thetstack'. The feeler operates when the topmost carton-blank W isbelow: a predetermine(1L1level to open the valve [9 and thereby supplymotive fluid to: the hydraulic motor M: to cause it'ito' lift theplatform 6& and to stop, the motor whenEthe-top cartonablank18:1311881'1' to the proper level. The: f eeler Illtmay be arranged tocontrol the valve 19 of the hydraulic motor H mechanically or it mayclose a switch in an electric. circuit and operate the valve 19electromagneti'cally in amanner Wellknown to those versed'iin the art.The platformv 5 68'. may be lowered" manually by turning the handle 81,see-Fig. 1, which. operates to release the motive fluid trapped in thehydraulic motor 14''. u f

v Sheetweperating unit Inaccordance with.- the. present inventionthesheeteseparating unit is provided for sliding the topmost carton-blankrearwardly withrespect to the underlying. blanks in: the stack toadaptit to. be grasped readily by the operator. The sheet-separating; unit isself-contained and adapted-,to be'mou nted betweenthe wire-stitch- In'a; preferred formv ofv construction the sheeteseparating: unit comprisesa pair or laterally-spaced fingers 82- and 83,, see Fig. 2,.which:normally rest on the top' surface of the stack. of carton-blanksW andare. adapted. to bev reciprocated. to slide the top carton-blank.rearwardly thereof. 81. and 83. are of identical. construction only one4 will be. described in detail. As shown in. Figs. 3, 4, 12,. 15.and.16,.the. finger 82 comprises a.

nose-portion 84' having. a flat. bottom. face 85 and an inclined upper;face. Adjacent the-rearward. end of: itsJnose-portion. M the finger 82.

has a downwardly projecting. shoulder 86; of a depthsl'ightlyilesstharithe thickness of. acartonblan l' Wi At the, rear. of the shoulder86 the. finger 82 is bifurcated to provide spaced arms for straddlingthe forward" end of'abar. 8-1. The

' finger 821 is. mounted onits bar 8.1.. for lateral rocking,movementor; upward tilting. movement by'mea-ns of a pin .88 extendingbetweenthe sides of'its bifurcatedv end andthroughan aperture 89 attheend of. the bar. As. shown inFi'g. 14,.

@the outer ends of'the aperture 89 in the bar. 8.1.

are counterbored, thus forminga circular. flange 90" at" the center withits: bore slightly larger: in

diameter than that "-of the pin. By this form of constructionthe: pin-88. is adapted to turn in theaperture 8? and the. flange 90' forms.- a.

W; with: which-they contact tOf insure proper, en.-

gagementxof their shoulders 86" with the edge thereof.

The; finger 82 islimited in its downward. rockmg movement toward thetopmost carton-blank W by -m'ea'ns or a pin '52-"e xtending across itsbiilurcated: end and adapted to engage ina recess 93:111. the end ofthe-ban 8-7; see Fig. 1'6; As shown-in thislatter View; the recess 93'is of. semiecircular contour" and. enlarged at its ends whereby to formacentraiabutment 94;. see also Fig. I3. The abutment .SlWacts as afulcrum upon which the pin 92 may rock longitudinally to permit lateraltilting .of. the finger 82 The finger-His rocked'in counterclockwise.direction to engage itsl'ower face with the topmost carton- As thefingersv ried'b'ya bracket. I25iatta'ched. to. the side ofjthe. arm'4 ofthe wire-stitchingmachine, see Figs. 2.. and=3. =As showmin-Fig. .3,thebell-crank lever blank ,W by means of a leafespring 95,.see Fig.

15, having one end fastened to the. topofthe bar 81 and its free endarchedgdownwardly tov A sheet-metal guide-mem-. ber 91 is pivoted ontheends of the pin 92 .pro-;

engage the pin 92.

jecting through its side wings'and is provided with an inclined end 99which functions assauramp for raising the forward edgeof a foldedcarton-blank and guiding it across the fingers 82 as it is fed to thewire-stitching machine:

The fingers '82 and 83 are adapted to'be reciprocated simultaneouslythrough an operative stroke to slide the topmost carton-blankW of the:

stack rearwardly or toward the operator from the position illustrated inFig. 4. to that .shown in Figs. 5 and 6. For this purpose the bars .81

mounting thefingers 82 and 03 are attached to the. outer ends ofreciprocable arms I00, being adjustably fastened thereto by screws IOIpassingthrough a longitudinal slot I02 in the arms and.

screwed into holesin the bars. The bars 81 are movable longitudinallythrough. slots r openings I03, seeFigs. 2,3 and 4, in the inclinedmarginal portion of the table 3.

vent the margins of the folded carton-blankW from entering thereinto orcatchingiagainst: the

edges thereof a plurality of sheet-metal plates I04 may be employed tocover portions of the.

As shown in Fig. 4, spring-fingers I atslots. tached to the under sideof each plate I04 engage with the edges of the openings or slots I03 to.adapt the plates to be adjustedtherealong or. to. be removed from thetable .3. The arms I00 and...

bars 81 may be actuated by any suitable operating means, and in thepresent embodiment of the invention the operating means is drivenmechanically from, and in timed relation to, the opera! tion. of thewire-stitching unit. I

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the operating means for the fingers 82 and83 is mounted on a channel-iron rail I 01 fastened to bosses or pads onthe side of the stitching machine pedestal I by means of screws I08. inbearings III and H2, see Fig.2, supported on the upper flange of thechannel-iron rail I 01 carries a pair of upright crank-arms I I3 securedfast thereto. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the inner ends of the armsI00 are pivoted to. the upper ends of the crank-arms I I3 by means ofpins I09. As shown inFigs. Sand 7, the crank-arms II3 are provided withsplit hubs encircling the shaft.

H0 and adjustablyv secured in position longitudinally thereof by meansof binder-screws N4; the arms I I3 being held rotatively with the shaftby a key I I5 shown in Figs. 2 and '7. The rocking motion of the shaftH0 in clockwise direction,

as viewed in Fig. 1, istransmitted through the.

crank-arms II3, arms I00 and bars 81 to move the fingers 82 and 83 fromthe position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. .5; while the rockingmotion ofthe shaft in counterclockwise direction initial position willmove the fingers back to the shown in Fig. 1.

In the present embodiment the rock-shaft I I0 is arranged to be operatedfrom the main driveshaft 6 of the wire-stitching head 5. Referring toFigs. 2 and 3, a cam I is fixedly mounted on the periphery of the drivenelement II ofthe main clutch II] on the shaft 6. The cam I20 is formedwith an eccentric periphery throughout substantially 360 degrees withits point of greatest radius terminating in a radial shoulder, as

shown in Fig. 3., The cam I20 is adapted to rock a bell-cranklever I23pivoted on astud- I:24-car- As shown in Fig. 2, the, openings I03 arerelatively extended and to pre- A shaft IIO mounted tooscillate'I23--hasone arm I26 overlying the main shaft 6 and carrying.aafollower-roller.;I27I.'which is en-.-

gageable withthe peripheryof thecam I20. The

oppositearm I29'of: the bell-crank I23 extends.

substantially horizontally "from the pivot-stud I 24 and carriesa pinI30. for pivotally connecting it to theupper end of an operating barIwhich. depends .i'therefrom. The bell-cranklever I23 is: maintained inposition with its roller I21 engage ing thecam .I20 by means of ahelicalspring I34 having one.end:hooked through a hole in, the arm I29 ,ofthelever and its. opposite end anchored to the support I31 of the motor9, see

Fig. 2..

The operating bar I35, above mentioned, is reduced in width atits lowerend to provide a shoulder or abutment I40 at .oneside thereof andtheterminal portion of the bar, is;beveled to provide an inclined cam.surfaceuI II.

I42-and arranged for longitudinal adjustment on the side of the lbarisa. detent-plate I45 havingits upper end overlyingv a portion of .thenotch. The upper edge of the plate I45 thus forms'an adjustabledetent-shoulder I4'I which cooperates with: a det'ent-lever, to: belater described, in

maintaining the. operating bar I35;in lowermost 7 position during thewire-stitchingoperation.

During the wire-stitching operation the bell cranklever I23 isoscillatedv by the cam I20 to 1 impart substantially verticalreciprocatory move.- ment tothe operatingbar I35. Thi reciprocatingmotion of the bar I35 ,iS-translated into oscillating movement of therock-shaft IIO by means of a novel andingenious system of levers as nextI described.-

Loosely mounted, on the. rock-shaft III) is a lever I I having avbifurcated end in the opening I5I of which the lowerend of the operatingbar I35 is received, see Figs. 7 and 8. As shown-in these views, a pinI52 extending across the sides of the. opening I5I at the outer end ofthe lever I50 serves toprevent displacement ofv the bar I35 therefrom..Fastened tothe top of the lever I50 adjacentthe inner end-of. theopening I5! is a plate I54 having aslot or grooveI55 in its top toprovide a.contact-shou lder I56, see Figs. 8 and 9. The shoulder I5Iiisadapted to be engagedby the shoulder or abutment I40 .on the operatingbar I35, asindicated in Fig. 5, during the d0wn ward movementofthelatterto cause the lever I50 torock; inycounterclockwise direction. At alever with the. side of the channel-iron I0'I, see

'I';he.plate I54 on the lever I50 is formed with alateralextension .I62,see Figs. 6,7 and 9, which carries an abutmentintheform of a set-screwI63 threaded through a hole in the extension and held inadjusted-position by a check-nut I64. The

set-screw or abutment I63 is adapted to engage with-'oneend ofanintermediate lever I10 to rock thev latter during the sheet-feedingoperationr'Thelever H0 is of U-shape in plan view, see Fig. 7, and.rockablymounted on a stud ,III carried at the outerend of an arm I'I5extend--.

Above the abutmentd 40 the bar I 35 is provided with a notch.

ing: laterally'from. anziiinrmihg; part: of the bea-ning-bracket I'I'Zpreviously." describedz- I A'szshowm i Fig; 7;. the studi III.isuprovi'dedr at one: eniil with a. head." I12 and its. oppositeistreducedi to extend: through: a. hole ini. the: amt IL'IIQ. ALsheet-metalnngen |1'I:6;. see Fig: 6;v cariiedsby the stud I'Tll is.clamped against thefitce Ofi'thE am I 15 by means of a nut. I13 screwed.onto! the. re. duced: and of: the" stud and-i set: up against theopposite: face of the arm The-intennediate lever- I "Ill is pivoted: on.thestudi lll betweenlthaheadi I I2 and the finger I 'IB.Rotatably-nmuntediinzthei oppositeends or the lever mm is an adjusting:

screw IT'lprovidedl with a-thumbt-nutli'm omits:- outer projecting: endiAn internally threaded: block. I80- on the screw l'lc'lc extendslaterally through a longitudinal opening I8I in the side. of. the-lever;seeFi'gs'. 6;? and withiits reduced cylindrical and forming a crank-pinI82. which 'isreceived' inthe: circular bore; or a; block: H851 Theblock I 85' is: slidably mounted! im a longi tudinal opening I9 I in: athircb lever-charm I 90 andih'as a; flange L86 disposed betwecnthis-lever and the lever. I10 tdretain it in place; See Fig-1 9: Thelever I 90-isprovidedwith a split hub which is clamped tothe:'-rock-shaft lilsoiby means ofbinder-screws I81.

It will be apparent from: the foregoing: descrip tion that'wh'en thelever m isro'cked downwamctly under the action of the operating bar. I35 its' set-screw: I63 will act against the top of the l'ever 110 torock' the latter. downwardly on the pivotstud lII.. Through themean's'of" the crank-pinv I82 and block I 85 the lever I floifixe'd on'therocloshaft IIU will also be tilted. downwardly to rock the shaft incounterclbckwise-directicn as v-i'ewed in Fig; 5. In thismanner'the'crank-arms= III :Fwill: be rocked to move thea'rm's mm andbars-831mm: the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to thatindicated'in-Fig.5 wherebyto cause' thesheeh-separating fingers 8-2: and 83' to move:through: an' operatin stroke to slide the=uppermost carton-blankrearwardly with respect to the underlying one'sdn the stack.

In' accordance with the present invention: the extent ofslidingqnoyen-rent-ii'nparted ltothesheet feeding fingers may be"regulated: accurately to' meet particular requirements. This isaccomplis-hed by adjusting the position ofthe crank pirr I82 and block I85 towardoraway from the axis of' the rock-shaft Hil fo alterthedbeation of the pin I'82-'- the adjusting screw I-"II is rotated inits hearings in the lever I 10 by turning the thumb-nut I781 Rotationof'thead justing screw" IT! in either direction acts toshift theposition of the internally-threadedblock I80 and its com-- cram-me a.split: hub: which. is adjustably clampedto the shaft Hit by. atbind'enscrew a The member 2003- has spaced; lateral: fingers at itslower end which. straddle the. forward: end: of the rail I01: andcarryset-screws 203 and 2014-; The stopscrews 203: and. 204? are adaptedto. engage: with. the opposite sides: of the. channel-iron. rail? It].

to: limit. the; rocking. movement of the: shaft H0:

ineither-direction- The set-screw 203' is1adaptedi to engage the sideofthe rail I0:Il' to limit: the.

return movement or; the shaft; I-.I'0tunder the ac:- tion of the spring?I191: wherebyto; locate. the shoulders 86 of; the sheet-feeding fingers:82. and 83:"

of movement due to momentum of the: parts;v

thereby preventing overfeeding. of the canton blanks.

The operating; bar I= normallyis. swung in a direction to maintain. itsabutment-shoulder I40: directly above andin alinem'enti withthe-contact;

shoulder "IE on. the'slever' I by means of." a coil: spring no; see Fig.4'. One. end of the spring 2I0: is: hookedaround a pimZI I on. the barI35 while itsopposite end. passes through a. hole in a pint 2I'2;adjustably' mounted in an angular bracket 2I3 fastenedlto the side ofthe channeliron I01.

In: accordance. with. the present invention the fingers 82: and: 83? arereciprocated only once for panion block I85" toward or away" from theful'-- crums of the levers I'fll and I whereby to change the effectiveleverage or mechanical-ad vanta'ge and the extent ofmovement impgi-rtedtb the sheet-feedingfingers82 and 83:

The two levers F50 and F90 are p'osltibned on the rock shaft' I I0adjacent onesideof tlie-liea ring bracket II2, see Fig. 7, and heldaxially in placeby a collar F94 secured to the shaft; see Fig. '7. Anarm I95 has its huh secured to the shaft H ll" abuttingthe=opposite=side-ofi the bearing bracket N2, the arm and collar- I'94thus taking the axial -thrust of the shaft ihxeitherdi' rection. The armI85 has-v am aperture. at: its: end into which: is hooked one: end of ahelical. spring I91, the opposite end. of'thelsprihg being: anchored toapirt H98 ad-justaihi'y mountedl-in-alm angular. bracket 'llilaffastenedto the under side of: the. channel-irom I 0 1,.see Figs; 3 and 4%.

eachcycle of operation of the-wire-stitching' unit regardless of thenum'benofstitches applied. During the applying ofthe first stitch orstaple to a. carton -blank' being stitched the fingers 82 and 83 aremovedforwardly tolree'd' the topmost carton-blank from the sta'cklintoposition to be subsequently grasped by the operator for feed ingthis-blank into position tobe stitched. In order to preventcontinuous'operation of the fingers 8'2 and 83 during the-applying ofaseries of stitches to the work it is necessary that the op-- erating barI35 be displaced from operative' engagement with the lever-arm I50; Thisdisplace mentor theoperating bar I-35 is effected: during its downwardmovement through the engagement of its l'owerbevel'edend or cam-face MIwith an abutment in the-form of 'a' roller: H5; seee Figs; 4- and 55 Theroller 21 5 is rotatablymounted on a pin" 216 extending between thesides of a bifurcated plate-likebraeket Z'I"! fastened to the top of thecha-nnel iron or rail I01; see Figs. 2' and 5'. During thedownwardmovement' ofthe' operating bar I35, its abutment-shoulder M0ongages with the contact shoulder I 56 on thelever I50 and swings thelatter' downwardly and through the system ofl'evers and arms, befored'escribed the flngers'82- and 83' are moved through an operative stroketo'feed a carton-blank into position to be grasped by the operator. Asthe Fig. 6, whereby to disengage its abutment-shook der I40 from thecontact-shoulderI56 on the lever I 50. The lever I90 mounted fast on theshaft IIO thus will be caused to return to first position under-theinfluence of the spring I91. The lever I90, through its pivotalconnection I85, I82 withthe intermediate lever I10, will rock the latterfrom the position shown in Fig. to that indicated in Fig, 6. As theright-hand end of the lever I swings upwardly its upper edge will actagainst the set-screw I63 on the leverarm I50 to also rock the latterupwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6.

To prevent continued operation of the operating bar I35 means areprovided for latching the bar in its lowermost position until the laststitch of the series has been applied to the work. As shown in Figs. 2,3 and 4, this latter means consists in a latching arm 220, see Figs. 5and 6, having a lug 22l at its upper end and being pivoted on a stud 222carried by an arm 223 formed as part of the bearing bracket I I2, seeFigs. 2 and 3. The latching arm 220 normally is rocked incounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, to

maintain its lug 22I in engagement with the side of the operating barI35 by means of a coil spring 225, see also Fig. 4." The spring 225 hasone end fastened to a cotter-pin 228 on the arm 220 with its oppositeend hooked through a hole in the finger I16, previously described asbeing mounted on the pivot-stud I1I. As the operating bar I35 movesdownwardly the lug 221 on the latching arm 220 will ridealong its edgeand finally snap into the detent notch I42 in the bar to engage itsdetent-shoulder I41. The bar I35 thus will be latched in lowermostposition to withhold the follower-roller I21 on the bell-crank lever I23from engagement with the operating cam I20 on the drive-shaft 8. Asshown in Fig.

the latching arm 220 is connected to the .stop-' ping member 60 of thewire-stitching mechanism by means of a link 230, a pin 23l on an arm 232carried by the stopping member extending through a longitudinal opening233 in the link to permit the latching arm to swing to latching positionwithout rocking the stopping member. As the last stitch of. a series isapplied to a carton-blank W, the stopping member 60 is rocked incounterclockwise direction, as "viewed in Fig.

3, and through the link 230 the latching arm 220 is rocked todisengageits lug 22I from the latching shoulder I41. On the operating bar I35.The bar I35 thus will be released and drawn upwardly by the action ofthe spring I34 to reengage the roller I21 on the bell-crank lever I23with the periphery of the cam I20 and return the shoulder I40 on the barto a position directly above the contact-shoulder I56 on the lever-armI50. As the operating bar I35 is returned. to first position, its edgewill ride along the side of the plate I54, see Fig. 8, carried by thelever-arm I50. Due to frictional contact between the bar I35 and thelever I50, which is loosely mounted on the rock-shaft IIO, the bar I35would tend to rock the arm upwardly beyond its normal operatingposition. To prevent such action the abutment I58 carriedby the tail I59of the lever I is adapted to engage the side of the rail I01 to limitthe upward rocking movement ofthe lever and locate its contact-shoulderI56 in position to be engaged by the shoulder I40 on the bar I35 whenthe sheet-feeding mecha'nismis again operated. A preferred form ofapparatus having been described in detail the method of operationthereof is as next explained.

M ode of operation [The apparatus is prepared for operation by firstassemblingthecarton-blanks W one over another on the elevator platform68 to form a stack as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 16. To facilitate theloading operation and to guard against damage to the sheet-separatingfingers 82 and 83, the latter are adapted to be displaced from operativeposition by swingingthem upwardly on the pivot-pins 88 to the positionindicated by dash-lines in Fig. 15. As'the fingers 82 and 83 are tiltedupwardly, the stop-pins 92 carried thereby will ride along the underside of the leaf-springs 95 and eventually come to rest against the topof the bars 81 to yieldingly hold the fingers in retracted position.After the carton-blanks W have been stacked to the proper height on theplatform 88 of the elevator, the fingers 82and 83 may be returned tooperative position with their bottom faces seating on the top of thestack and their shoulders 86 in position to engage the topmostcarton-blank in the stack, see Figs. 2 and 15. The bars 81 and arm I00are free to pivot as aum t on the pins I09 at the upper ends of thecrank-arms I I3 to maintain the fingers 82 and 83. seating uponthetopmost carton-blank W, see Fig. 4.

Asthe nose-portions 84 of the fingers 82 and 83 engage with the uppersurface of the top cartonblank W the fingers are adapted to rock bothlongitudinally and laterally on the pin 88 and abutments 90 and 94 inthe manner previously explained to insure that their shoulders 86 willengage positively With the edge of the topmost carton-blank. Thus, thefingers are adapted to rest on the upper, surface of the stack withtheir shoulders 86 invariably in proper position to engage the edge ofthe topmost carton-blank W without chance of their riding thereover. Theguide-members 91 which overlie and project from the forward ends of thefingers 82 and 83 constitute inclined ramps for guiding the foldedcarrender the hydraulic pump 16 and motor 14 operative to raise thestack until it comes under control of the feeler to maintain the topcarton-blank ata predetermined level. If by inadvertence or otherwisethe stack of carton-blanks is raised beyond its normal height, that is,to a point where its uppermost carton-blank W is positioned above therange of movement of the fingers 82 and 83, the latter will be carriedupwardly with the stack as the arms I00 tilt on the pins I09. If thestack of sheets continues to rise the bars 81 on the arms I00 willeventually engage the under side of the table 3, as shown in Fig. 16,and the fingers 82 and 83 thereafter will be tilted upwardly onthe-pivotpins 88 against the action of the leaf-springs 95 whereby toguard against damage to the fingers and associated parts of themechanism,

The wire-stitching unit is rendered operative by closin the circuit forthe electric motor 8 which drives through the belt 8 to rotate thefiywheel 1. The electric circuits to the electromagnets 34, 48 and 58also are rendered operative by closing suitable line-switches, notherein shown, and .the energization of the electromagnets is thereaftercontrolled by the switches 41, 41 and 55 shown in the diagram, Fig. 11.The opposite pairs of feed-rolls I5 and I8 thus will be drivencontinuously at high speed-tromthe motor 9 operating through the'bel-til, chaintfl .and .othereonnections includingtherclutch .2 .I to.drivethe-shaits 20 and H. The shaft .10 .operates through-the couplingrod 23 to dri-vethe shaft ;22.and .through the intermesh'ing gears .26andl'l .drivestheshaft 24, coupling rod 25 and shaft 4.8 mounting thelower pair of .rolls IS. The clutch -2II .is .heldin driving engagement.by .thespring .3I ..to..,connect the continuously-operating driving.means .to the shaft 20 and -the clutch.2.9 islheld disengaged by theconnecting rod 3.9 and-shifting lever All.

The operator starts -a stitching operation .by withdrawing thetop-carton-blank W in .thestack from under the fingers .82 and83,.foldingthe side panels of theblan-k to overlie .itsbody portion andthen feeding the. folded blank .forwiardlyrintoethe bite between theupper .and .lower feed-.rolls IIS and I6. The folded carton-.blankWthenwill .be fedforwardbythe feed-rolls .15 and I6 tocarry its edge ..intoengagement with the. depending. abutment, see Fig. 1, of th'egauge'45..Theengagement of the forward edge of the folded cartonblank with thedepending .abutment M .of the gauge 45 vas the blank -is carried forwardby .the feed-rolls I5 and IE will cause thengaugeto slide forwardly.andengage .the post .46 with .theswitch 41,.see Fig. 1, to close .the.circuit including .the electromagnet'34.

Upon energization of the electromagnet 34,.see Fig. '2, itsplunger-armature will-operatethroug'h the link 35, lever'3'6 and .link31 to Jockthe Joellcrank shifting .fork .38 to .release .the clutch .2.Iso as to .disconnect the high speed continuous drive from the.shaft'zll. The movement .of the bell-crank shifting .fork 3.8 will .betransmitted throughthe iconnecting rod .39 and .shifting lever 41) to.engage the clutch 2.9 simultaneously with the .disengagementof the.clutch'2I. .Due to -.the momentum of thefolded carton-blank .W, .thegauge '45 will continue torslide forwardly a.shrt distance to .cause thepost fl6..to close the second switch #41, .see Figs. .1.and.l-1, toenergize the electromagnet 48. .Uponenergization-of the electromagnet.48 ..its plunger-armature will .ac- .tuate the.c1utch-operator L49toengagethe main clutch iI'll whereby to .connect the fly-wheel .I tothe .driveesha'ft 6 for .the wires-stitching :head 5. Thewire-stitching.mechanism. in =the.head -5 .thenwill .operate to apply.a. stitch ;to -.the .cartonblank W.

.ing the second halferevolution -.of I the .driveeshaft '6, while.the..par.ts of.the wire-.stitchingmechanism arebeing .returned .toinitial ,position, the

:pitman Y 32 will actuate the .one-way .clutch .33

through i an operative stroke .to. rotate the .shaft -28. .The$haft28,.being.connected=to.the shaft 24 through the .clutchi29,.willtdrive through .the coupling rod 25 .toirotate the..shaft 18.mounting thelowerpair .of feed-rolls .-.I.6. .FIhe .shaft 14also'will'drive through the intermeshinggears "21 and'ZB to rotate theShaftZZ which, operating through the coupling ro'd23,-will rotate'theshaft "zll'andshaft I'I, connected thereto "to drive "the upper'pair offeed=rolls "f limounte'd' thereon. "The rotation of the feed-ro1-ls" I5"and I6 thus will ad- Vancethe 'work-W arpredeterrhined increment ofmovement corresponding to the required spac- =ing between thestitchesapplied-m series. The wire-stitching *mechanism and the intermittently-driven feed-rolls I5 .and I5 consequently will :operate 'in'ztimed relationship to .astitch the seam of :the carton-blank W.

" I hecarton-blank separating means is oper- 5 atedrfrom the.wire-tstitching meansin v the manner :as next explained. Upon rotationof thedrive shaft l6 for'the wire-stitching head 5 to apply thefirst-stitch atorthe work, .the .cam I20 on the shaft, see Fig. .3,.acting .on the :roller "IT 10 will rock rthebellecrank lever I23 tocause the operating-bar I35 depending therefrom to .be lowered. Because.ofthe 'factithat 1 the periphery of the cam I20 has agradualxincrease'in radius throughout .substantially 360degreesof itscir- 'cum'ference, the :downward zmovement imparted to the ibar ;I:3.5[by :the oam :will :be relatively slow and .:continuous during .onecomplete revolution ofzthe1shaftz6. That is tosay, the :bar I35 .will belowered .slowly during the applying .of :the

" first stitchto the workzand :the subsequent 'feed- Jing' .of rthework-into position :to :receive a second stitch-in :the series.

the "operating bar .135 is lowered, its abutment-shoulder I40 wvill be:held in engagement :with :the contact shoulder 1.5.6 :on the lever H58.see Fig. :by :the pring-2L0 and :the lever thus will :be rocked ontheshaft II-0 from the position .shown .inFigs. 3 1 and A to :thatindicated in Fig. 5. .The :abutment :screw 1.63 :on :the lever d511,act- '3() .ing against ':the top .of .the lever I10, .will rock the rlatterton .its pivot-stud If" to theposition sshown -in.Fig.:5. During:this rocking movement of sthe intermediate .zlever IIIOgits crank-pinI82 iWill wcooperate with the ;block I85 to tilt the lever I90(downwardly to {the :position :shown in -F.ig..5with the block:slidingiin the longitudinal opening-J91. The lever 1.90, 'being fixed.on the mock-"shaft (H0, will rock "the .latter in counterclockwisedirection; as 'viewedrin Fig. '4, to swing 40 the-Pcrankearms l-I3 in'the same direction or .to "thezposition shown in Fig.5. The arms Iflfl'and *bars 8 :connecte'd :to the crank-arms *I I3 .thus willzbemovedt towardzthegleftzto.cause 'thefingers 782and f 83 to feed the topscartoneblank W later 15 z-ally'tto cause its z -rearward' 'edge toproject beyond .-the'edge of".the'underlyingblanks in the stack and intor'position'to .be readilyv'grasped by the operator, seefFig; 6.

As'the operating bar- I 35 approaches. its lowerz'mostzposition-itsbeveled cam-face .I'4I will en- ;gageithe iabutment rollers2'l'5 and the;bar thus williberocked-tothemosition indicated in Fig. '6 toxpryitsabutment-shoulder440 away-from the contact-shoulder 1156 Omthe-leverI50. With the 5;, "levers I50, 1:11! iand I90 :thus released from ac-".tuation by'the bar 135 .the spring I9I, acting rthroughrthez-armI95,will rock the shaft IIII in clockwise direction-asviewed inFig. 3,to return -"the Llevers and shaft 1 I0 to inoperative position with-theabutment Z03=on the stopping memrtber-lflflgsee Fig. Lengagingagainstthe side of ".t'hBrrfiililOT to limit this return movement.DuriIIg'ithE-lfltlllll movement of the leversrandrockshaftslll'o'thefflngers:82 and 83 will-be retracted toinoperativeposition with their shoulders .86 re- ;located'in position:toengage the next succeeding carton-eblank W in the stack supported onzthe elevator.

i'Afterrbeing disengaged from the lever -.I50 the operating barI:35.willcontinue to'be moved downwardlywunder'the action of'the cam i20on the :drive-shaft iSand adjacent theend of its move- :ment" in thisdirection the notch I142 in its side '.will:be.brought into .alinementwith the latching lug 22I on the latchingiarmmm-see Fig. 6. The

spring 225 acting on the arm 220 will rock the latter incounterclockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 6 to cause itslug 22I to over lie the shoulder I41 on the bar I35. After the cam I hasbeen rotated through substantially 360 degrees, the operating bar Inormally would be raised by the bell-crank lever I23 but this upwardmovement is prevented by the engagement of the lug 22I on the latchingarm 220 with the shoulder I 41 on the bar. Thus, the bar I35 will belatched in its lowermost position to prevent further actuationthereofduring continued rotation of the main shaft 6 and cam I20 in applyingthe remainderof the stitches in the series to the carton-blank. In otherwords, at this that the latter will have no effect on the operating barI35; 7

During the operation of the wire-stitching mechanism in the head 5, thecontrol-shaft '52, see Fig. 2, is turned through 'a'predeterminedincrement of movement for each stitch applied to the work until theradial arm 53 at the end of the shaft comes into engagement with androcks the pivoted frame 54 to close the switch 55. This closing of theswitch 55 will energize the electromagnet 56, see Fig. 3, which,operating through its plunger-armature connected to the link '58 and thebell-crank 51, will rock the pivoted stopping member 60 to arrest thestitching operation. Th stopping member 50 will operate through the pin23I and link 230 to rock the latching arm 220 from the position shown inFig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 4 to release the operating bar I35.

Upon release of the operating bar I35, the spring I34 will rock'thebell-crank lever I23 back to initial position as shown in'Fig. 3 tocause the follower-roller I2'I to be reengaged with'theperiphery of thecam I20 whereby the bar will be raised with its shoulder I positionedabove the contact-shoulder I56 on the lever I50. The'parts of theoperating mechanism thus will be returned to initial position and therotation of the main drive-shaft 6 arrested after a cycle of operationof the wire-stitching unit. It will be understood that the operatingmechanism for the blank-separating fingers 82 and 83 will be operatedonly once for each cycle of operation of the wirestitching mechanism,regardless of the number of stitches in the series applied to the seamoftlie blank. When carton-blanks W of different sizes and shapes are tobe stitched with different numbers of stitches, the arm 53 on thecontrol-shaft 52, see Fig. 2, may be adjusted with respectto the arm 6|to apply a series of any predetermined number of stitches during astitching operation before the stopping member 60 is actuated; butregardless of the relative adjustment of the arms the sheet-separatingfingers Hand 83 will be operated only once for eachcycle of operation ofthe wire-stitching mechanism. 1

The operator may continue to fold and feed the carton-blanks Wone afteranother as they are separated from the top of the stack by the fingers82 and 83 which-are operated once atthe beginning of each cycle ofoperation of the stitching mechanism to displace each uppermostcarton-blank rearwardly With respect to the underlying blanks in thestack. It will be understood that the vvire s'titching unit will operateto feed, :stitch and discharge the carton-blanks W at-a ra e @fiikQ Ifast ,as the operator. can grasp,

foldand advance the carton-blanks to the feed-- rolls I5 and I6. Inotherwords, the operator cannot overfeed the stitching unit regardless of howfast he operates. However, by having the top carton-blank W jogged ordisplaced rearwardly with respect to the underlying blanks in thestaok'the operator can more easily and quickly grasp the blank. Thus, notime is wasted in separating the top carton-blank W from theunderlying-ones in the stack and there will be no interruption of therhythm of the operator's motions so he may fold and advance the blanksat maximum eiflciericy. When all the carton-blanks W of the stack havebeen stitched, the operator may rock the handle M for manuallycontrolling the valve 19 of the hydraulic drive for theelevator platform68 to cause it to be lowered to receive another stack of blanks W to bestitched.

Wire-stitching machines of the type shown herein are generally employedfor stitching the flaps of carton-blanks of different sizes and shapescomposed of paper or fiber board of varimechanism of such machines bemade adjustable so that it will operate with equal efficiency ondifferent types of carton-blanks. It has been found in practice that theextent of movement of the separating fingers necessary to feed the topcarton-blank to the required position depends upon several factors. Forexample, it has been determined that when the separating mechanism isoperating on' relatively large, heavy blanks the separating fingers mustbe moved through a greater stroke than when small light-weightcarton-blanks are being delivered to the operator. It has also beenfound that carton-blanks or other sheets having comparatively roughouter surfaces offer greater resistance to sliding movement along thetop of the stack than blanks made from stock having a lower coefiicientof friction.

The operating means for the separating fingers 82 and 83 is actuatedthrough a relatively short stroke to initially slide the top blankrearwardly of those remaining in the stack and'the blank continues toslide through the remainder of the required distance under momentum.When operating on relatively light-weight carton-blanks and thosehavingsmooth surfaces the inertia of the blanks is practically nil and thusonly a relativelyshort stroke of the separating fingers is necessary toset up momentum in the blanks which will cause them to move to therequired position. On the other hand, blanks of relatively heavy orrough stock are subject to greater inertia, offering greater resistanceto sliding movement and for this reason it is necessary to initial- 1yfeed the cartons with the fingers 82 and 83 through a greater distance.

Iniaccordancewith the present improvements, means areprovided foradjusting the extent of movementimparted to the separating fingers 82and 83 to adapt them to feed different types of carton-blanks intoposition to be grasped by the operator. As before explained, theadjusting means comprises the screw I'II, crank-pin I82 and block I85carried thereby. When it is desired to adapt the feeding fingers B2 andB3 to move only a relatively short distance the thumb nut I18 on theadjusting screw IT! is turned in a direc i n to caus the bleak ienders-sham 1 to hesh fte .=to anithe vo l. V s d'i ll an aw iremz he ai \Q t e sha t Ml!- -.Q vt,he.r oth r (hand quired .at t e. fina ramish-be thr u h a erea rcd sta ce th -ad u in sc ew ll is turned t feedthe-. ankepin 1. 1 andb ek ,85 :to a position :n a e 'the axis o h @911- shaft t0and-fartherarva ifnom t axis th pi ot-stud lH. Throu hhis po isienwth- .eiie tive levera e or -.mee en e l a vanta e o l v 1 0, 1 9and Sn-may 'a e ad u te -withp s on to impart he req i e -increments thsheet-feeding fingers 8,2 and 83; without altering h ran e f movem nt ofthe loperalti lbe -ilfifi- It 'will be observed rtromvthe,foregoingspeci- -fication that the present invention prpvlidsheet-separating unit in cooperation with .851; elevator and processingunitior separating the-top .sheet from the; underlyingsheetsin the stackwhereof to -facilitate its han ing-fin manipu tion by the operator. Thesheet-separatin il nit of the present inventionis adaptedmr useitodisplace the topmost lcartoneblanlg relatively-of the underlying blanksin a stack and :to operate only once for each cycle of operation of thewire.-

stitching machine with which a it is used; regardless of ,the number ofstitches applied in series to the blank. Theoperating-mechanismlfQrthesheet-separating rfingers .is adapted fiorraccurate adjustment toregulate the range of ,movement imparted to the fingersin accordancewith-dif- 'ferent requirements. l a

While a preferred .embodiment'xof the sheetseparatingi unit is hereinillustrated and: de-

scribed as adapted for use in conjunction with an elevator andwire-stitching unit, it towbe understood that various morzlifioationsmay be made in the structure and arrangementaofzgthe apparatus anditsmethodof application without departing from thespirit or scope of the'.invention. Therefore, without" limiting myself in this respect,Iclaim:

1. A device ionseparating thetopxsheet-iof -a stack of horizontallyarranged-!sheetsifrom. the 1 underlying sheets in the stackcomprising-fingers adapted to rest on the \top of the. stackandconstructed and arranged to engage across-the edg'e of the topsheet,--means for reciprocating said fingers, means forpivotallyconnecting the fingers to the reciproc'ating means, a spring .overlyingthe fingers and-acting thereon :t'orock them into operative position'for,engaging across the edge of the top sheet, andLmeansafor-limiting therocking movement of the fingersunderzthe' action of the spring, saidspring :adapted-sto maintain the fingers in elevated 'position afterthey :have been'rocke'd'upwardlya i .0

2. In an apparatus of the type indicated,

means for supportinga stack 50f horizontallytop-sheetinthe stack, meansfor reciprocating sai sheet-e a n mean t di pl e hewten sheet in thstack l elat r -l the und lyin h e s, :an op r tin membe m n o eci a nsa p ra n -memb a l v da t to e m ted by said-w a insm r anin e mediatelever for reciprocating the sheet-engagi 13 means fromthe 'movementofthe operatin member, and ,means connecting said ;levers and i s bl t dan wa rq th axes of' latter to ,control the extent of reqiprocationimparted to the heetseneasins means.

.4, In ana-pparatus of the type indicated, means for supporting a stackof horizontally disposed sheets {to be stitched, means for; engaging theedge of; the top sheet of the stack, means for reciprocating saidsheet-engaging means-to displacethe .top sheet with respect to theunderlying sheets-in the stack comprising an operating abar, means toreciprocate said ,bar, a lever rockable by said'bar, an in er dia l ve qk b y th f r t e e and carrying a crank-pin,-a rock-shaft, a third--'1ev erf ast on said rock-shaft and engagedby the crank-pinon theintermediate lever, a crank-arm carried by the rock-shaft,and meansconnecting the reciprocating means for the sheet-engaging means to beactuated by the crank arm.

5. In an apparatus of the type indicated, means for supporting a. stackof horizontally disposed sheetsto be stitched, means engageable with thetop sheet of thestack andrnovable to displace it 'with respect to theunderlying sheets in the stack, and means for actuating thesheet-displacing means comprising a reciprocable operating bar, a lever,means onthe bar for rocking the leverlduring movement of the bar in onedirection, an intermediate lever rockable by the first lever andmounting a crank-pin, a rock-shaft, a third-lever fast on saidrock-shaft and engagedby the crankpin on the intermediate lever, acrank-arm carried-by the rock-shaft, and means connecting thesheet-displacing means to be actuated by the crank-arm.

'6. -In an apparatus of the type indicated, means for supporting a,stack of horizontally-disposed sheets to be stitched, means fordisplacing the top sheet relative to the underlying sheets in the stack,said last-named-means comprising -means engageable with the edge of thetop sheet and movable horizontally across the stack, a rockshaft, acrank-arm on the rock-shaft,means connecting the crank-arm to operatethe sheetengaging means, a reciprocable operating bar, a lever adaptedto be rocked :by the operating bar, an intermediate lever operated fromthe first lever, a crank-pin on the second lever, a third lever fast on'thezrock-shaft and engaged'by the crank-pin on theintermediate'leverto'oscillate the rock-shaft to actuate the.sheet-engaging means, and means for adjusting the position of thecrank-pin relative to the fulcrums of the intermediate and third leversto regulate the effective leverage thereof whereby to control the extentof oscillation .of the rock-shaftand movement imparted thereby to thesheet-engaging means.

7. An apparatusfor separating the-top-sheet of i a stack ofhorizontallyearrangedsheets-from the underlying sheets of thestackcomprising-means engageable across theedgeof the top sheetinthe stack, amember for reciprocating said sheetengaging means, a crank-arm foractuating 'the reciprocating member, a lever for rocking said arm, anintermediate lever rockable about an axis spaced from the axis of thefirst 1ever,.means tor rockmgthe intermediate lever, a;slidingconnection between the first lever and intermediate lever, andmanually-operable means for adjusting said sliding connection relativeto the axes of said levers to control the extent of reciprocationimparted to the sheet-engaging means.

8. An apparatus for separating the top sheet of a stack ofhorizontally-arranged sheets from the underlying sheets of the stackcomprising means for engaging across the edge of the top sheet, arockable arm for reciprocating said sheet-engaging means, a lever forrocking said arm, an intermediate lever rockable about an axis spacedfrom the axis of the first lever, an adjusting screw extendinglongitudinally of the second lever, a crank-pin adjustablelongitudinally of the inter-- mediate lever by means of the adjustingscrew and slidably engaging the first lever, and means to rock thesecond lever to oscillate the first lever and rock the arm toreciprocate the sheet-engaging means.

9. An apparatus for separating the top sheet of a stack ofhorizontally-arranged sheets from the underlying sheets of the stackcomprising means ciprocable bar for rocking said lever, resilient meansfor maintaining said reciprocable bar in position to rock the lever, andmeans engageable by said reciprocable bar at a predetermined point inits reciprocation to cause it to release the lever.

10. An apparatus for separating the top sheet of a stack ofhorizontally-arranged sheets from the underlying sheets including meansfor engaging across the edge of the top sheet, means for reciprocatingsaid sheet-engaging means, a lever for actuating said reciprocatingmeans, an intermediate lever for rocking the first lever, a third leveradapted to rock the intermediate lever, a reciprocable bar for rockingthe third lever, a spring for normally maintaining said bar in positionto rock the third lever, and camming means for moving said bar againstthe action of the spring to release it from the third lever.

GEORGE H. I-IARRED.

